What To Do In Case Of An Electrical Power Grid Emergency

Nobody wants their air conditioner to break down in the middle of the hot summer. That’s why your Daffan HVAC tech is always on hand to keep your system operating at peak performance.

But what if the electrical grid fails during a triple-digit heat wave? That would be a mess.

They are relatively rare, but grid outages, rolling blackouts, or brownouts are possible in the Granbury area during peak electrical demand times during the summer.

Down south, the Lower Rio Grande Valley region got a scare in early June, when some issues with power equipment combined with high electricity demand required the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to ask valley residents to restrict their electric use for three days.

It’s probably a good idea to know what to do when there’s a regional or statewide crisis with the electric power grid. Hopefully, temperatures will stay “normal” for the summer, and hopefully the grid will stay in good shape, but here’s what ERCOT recommends consumers do during the 3 to 7 p.m. peak demand hours in these kinds of emergency situations:

• Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment.
• When at home, close blinds and drapes that get direct sun, set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, and use fans to cool the air.
• When away from home, set air conditioning thermostats to 85 degrees and turn all fans off before you leave. Block the sun by closing blinds or drapes on windows that will get direct sun.
• Do not use your dishwasher, laundry equipment, hair dryers, coffeemakers, or other home appliances during the peak hours of 3 to 7 p.m.
• Avoid opening refrigerators or freezers more than necessary.
• Use microwaves for cooking instead of an electric range or oven.
• Set your pool pump to run in the early morning or late evening, not during peak demand hours.

By following these simple tips, we can all stay cool this summer!